After months of preparation, planning and hard work, we’re getting ready to plant the first trees in Bentley Green Community Orchard. And that’s not the only exciting development. From new funding and wildlife projects to some intriguing historical discoveries, there’s plenty to share in our November update.
Our First Orchard Trees Are on Their Way
One of the biggest milestones this month is that we’ve ordered approximately 36 fruit trees for our new community orchard!
Our Orchard team, led by Simon Slater, has spent months researching and selecting varieties that will thrive in Bentley Green’s conditions. The list includes a number of heritage varieties, reflecting our ambition to create an orchard that celebrates the area’s fruit-growing history while providing delicious fruit for generations to come. Learn more here.
With the trees on order, attention is now turning to planting. Simon has developed a detailed approach to establishing the orchard, including raised planting mounds where necessary to help with drainage, and protective guards and fencing to keep young trees safe from deer, rabbits and squirrels.
We’re planning several planting sessions over the winter, including opportunities for the wider community to get involved. Details here.
Our first planting day is provisionally scheduled for Sunday 13 December, followed by a community planting day between Christmas and New Year, with further planting in January and February.
We’re also hoping to involve pupils from Bentley Primary School in a special planting session towards the end of January.
All dates are subject to weather conditions and tree deliveries, so keep an eye on our website for confirmed details.
And there’s another date for your diary: Saturday 20 March 2027, when we’ll be holding our Big Plant Out event. This is to plant all the wildflower seedings which our wonderful community are growing over the winter.
More Trees, Healthier Hedgerows and New Wildlife Habitats
While the orchard is a major focus, our plans for Bentley Green extend well beyond fruit trees.
We’re continuing to develop our approach to improving the site’s existing hedgerows, particularly along the northern boundary. These hedgerows provide important shelter, food and wildlife corridors, and strengthening them will help create a richer, more connected habitat.
To this end, we’ve successfully applied for a grant from the International Tree Foundation to support the planting of young hedgerow plants and trees, these will be planted this winter too.
A number of trees from the Woodland Trust are already awaiting planting, and we’ve also been offered two rather special additions: an oak and a horse chestnut, both grown from seed. We’re now identifying suitable places for them to grow.
Looking further ahead, we’re exploring opportunities to install bird and bat boxes, potentially including wildlife cameras that would allow us to observe some of the creatures making their homes at Bentley Green.
Plans for rainwater harvesting and the future restoration of the pond are also progressing. Both will be important elements of our long-term vision for the site.
Keeping an Eye on Bentley Green’s Wildlife
Our conservation volunteers have been busy monitoring the wildlife already present at Bentley Green.
Worm surveys are continuing through November and December, helping us build a better understanding of the life beneath our feet.
We’re also preparing for a specialist survey for brown hairstreak butterflies on 9 December. This elusive butterfly is associated with blackthorn hedgerows, and the survey will help us learn more about the site’s potential to support the species.
Planning is also under way for reptile surveys, while our ongoing habitat observations are helping us build a picture of how Bentley Green’s wildlife changes through the seasons.
We’re particularly pleased to welcome two new volunteers who bring valuable expertise to the project. Aspen is an ecologist, while Luke is a qualified arborist who has offered to help with tree-related work.
Their knowledge will be a welcome addition to the experience and enthusiasm already within our volunteer group.
Unearthing Bentley’s Past
Bentley Green isn’t just a place for nature. It’s also a site with a history, and we’re continuing to discover more about it.
Our metal-detecting activities have uncovered further artefacts of local historical interest, including one particularly intriguing recent find.
We can’t reveal too much about that discovery just yet, but we’re looking forward to learning more about it in January.
It’s another reminder that, as we create something new for Bentley, we’re also uncovering connections to the people who lived and worked here before us.
Almost £16,000 Raised – Thank You!
We’re pleased to report that Bentley Green has now raised approximately £16,000 through grants, donations and fundraising, putting us well on the way towards our first-year target of £20,000.
A significant part of this total is down to our wonderful volunteers at Bentley Station Café who have now raised just under £4,000 since opening in June! If you would like to get involved you can find more details here.
Every contribution is helping turn our plans into reality, from purchasing trees and protecting them as they grow to creating wildlife habitats and maintaining the site.
We’re continuing to apply for grants to support future work, including ecological improvements, equipment and other facilities.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, supported our fundraising activities or helped us secure funding.
455 Hours of Volunteering – and Counting!
One of the most notable figures from our November meeting was the amount of time people have already given to Bentley Green.
Our volunteers have formally logged 455 hours of work so far.
And that’s just the time that’s been recorded!
From researching fruit varieties and planning the orchard to carrying out wildlife surveys, fundraising, preparing the ground and engaging with local organisations, there’s an enormous amount happening behind the scenes.
We’ve also recently gained a secure storage facility on site, which will make it easier to keep equipment and supplies ready for future volunteer activities.
And there’s a lovely creative touch in the pipeline, too. Volunteer Martin has been making hand-turned wooden apples, which we hope will eventually decorate some of the fence posts around Bentley Green.
It’s these contributions, large and small, that are helping make Bentley Green a genuine community project.
The Next Chapter Begins This Winter
After almost a year of preparation, we’re now approaching one of the most exciting stages of the project.
Over the coming months, we’ll begin transforming our carefully prepared ground into a living orchard. The first trees will go in, hedgerows will be improved, and our work to create a richer environment for wildlife will continue.
Of course, planting is only the beginning. Our young trees will need care and attention for years to come, and there’s plenty more work ahead as we develop the meadow, pond and other habitats.
But with the support of our volunteers, local community and generous funders, we’re making real progress towards our vision of a beautiful, productive and wildlife-rich green space for everyone to enjoy.
Come and Be Part of It
If you’d like to help plant our first orchard trees, join a working party, take part in wildlife activities or support the project in another way, we’d love to hear from you.
Email hello@bentleygreen.uk and let us know how you’d like to get involved.